Everyone at Sheffield Bed and Breakfast is excited about the prestigious wedding scheduled on the side lawn of the Inn. Besides that, Brenda Rivers expects a full house of guests the same weekend. Allie Williams, Reservationist, notes that not every guest appears happy at check in. Nadia Bouchard and Melody Basset both express by demeanor private motives for coming to Sweetfern Harbor. Deep resentment seems embedded in them, something Allie can’t put her finger on to explain. Brenda meets with her guests after check-in. She finds them friendly, including Nadia. Melody is the only guest who does not show up for the first get-together, but Brenda decides to catch up with her later. Allie describes her as someone unhappy and morose. The one distinguished older man is more sedate in nature than the younger guests. Roland Thorne has his own agenda for coming to Sweetfern Harbor. Melody spends much of her time near the waterfront. The Atlantic Ocean mesmerizes her in a strange way. Nadia finds solace near the ocean, too, but first she must visit the Owner of Sweet Treats, Hope Williams. The encounter intensifies Nadia’s anger toward Hope, though Hope can’t figure out why. Even when Nadia explains her reasons, Hope is at a loss. When Allie asks Brenda if she can spend her break time with her mother at Sweet Treats to help with a large order, Brenda readily agrees. When Allie doesn’t return later as expected, Brenda and her Head Housekeeper Phyllis Pendleton sense something has gone wrong. Brenda’s fears are verified when she and Phyllis find Sweet Treats to be locked and lights turned off. Clues of disturbance in the alley behind the shop causes Brenda to determine the two women have been kidnapped. When Brenda’s husband Detective Mac Rivers reports the newcomer in town, Andrea Franklin has been murdered in Sweet Treats, both are convinced Allie and Hope Williams have been taken hostage. Brenda will experience an encounter with an angry guest of hers downtown. Nadia passes Brenda and Phyllis, unseeing, on her way back to the bed and breakfast. Next Brenda will find herself in mortal danger with a madwoman on the slated cliff that juts out over the ocean. She wonders if she will survive any of it. More importantly, will it be too late for Allie and Hope?